Ghana-Lebanon Islamic Secondary School (GLISS) PTA Calls On National Security To Address Slum Situation…Students Express Fear

Ghana-Lebanon Islamic Secondary School (GLISS) PTA Calls On National Security To Address Slum Situation…Students Express Fear.

The Parents Teachers Association PTA) at the Ghana Lebanon Islamic Secondary School (GLISS)in Accra, including the school authorities have raised serious concerns about the safety and well-being of thier students.

This follows the emergence of a slum that shares a wall with the school.

Speaking to this reporter, the PTA member who wants to remain anonymous said the school community is worried about the proximity of the slum, adding that it poses significant risks to students, exposing them to various social vices.

He stressed that the school has been a beacon of hope for many students seeking quality education, however he disclosed the current situation has cast a shadow over the learning environment.

Details;
The PTA Member intimated that the slum has become a haven for illicit activities, which could easily spill over into the school.

He stated that impact of the slum on students is a major worry for school authorities, adding that the slum’s close proximity was exposing the students to drugs, theft, and other forms of criminal activity.

According to him, the school authorities fear that if nothing is done to address the situation, students may begin to emulate the negative behaviors they witness in the slum.

Currently, he mentioned that teachers and other staff members are showing concern about their safety.

Fear:
Many teachers, the PTA Member indicated have expressed fears about working in an environment where security is compromised.

One parents who spoke to this reporter said, “the presence of the slum has created an atmosphere of anxiety, making it difficult for teachers to focus on their core mandate of imparting knowledge”

Information gathered suggested that school authorities had previously raised concerns about the development of the slum when it first began.

A source said, at the time, they warned about the potential impact on students and the learning environment but added that nfortunately their concerns fell on deaf ears, and the slum has since grown in size and complexity.

Additional Information:
Sources disclsied that the Accra Metropolitan Assembly ( AMA) and the Regional Security Council attempted to intervene but were met with resistance from the squatters.

The squatters, our sources indicated issued threats, making it difficult for the authorities to take decisive action.

At the time of my visit, the situation has reached a boiling point, with school authorities now calling on major stakeholders to intervene.

The authorities are appealing to the National Security, the Ministry of Education, Ghana Education Service, and other relevant bodies to take swift action to address the situation.

Stakeholders:
Stakeholders including the school authorities believe that the National Security has a responsibility to ensure that students learn in a safe and secure environment.

The stakeholders argue that the presence of the slum undermines the efforts of teachers and students alike, creating an atmosphere that is not conducive to learning.

Meanwhile, parents are also worried about the safety of their wards and at the time of my visit, many expressed concerns about the potential risks their children face daily.

Speaking on anonymity, some said they were considering transferring their children to other schools, citing safety concerns.

The development of the slum has raised fears about potential incidents that could compromise the safety of students. School authorities worry that without urgent intervention, the situation could escalate, putting students and staff at risk.

Earlier Reportage:
In January, this issue was reported in the media with many highlighting that the situation was a potential threat to the school community.

As at that time, the report noted that the squatters were carrying out their activities with impunity, further exacerbating the situation.

Urgency:
It is therefore not surprising that the Parents Teachers Association are calling for urgent action to relocate the squatters and restore a safe learning environment.

The PTA members believe that with the combined efforts of stakeholders, the situation can be brought under control.

They indicated that the presence of the slum raises concerns about the potential impact on the school’s reputation.

Just like the PTA, it is instructive to note that Parents and students alike are beginning to question the school’s commitment to providing a safe learning environment, which could have long-term consequences for the school’s enrollment and overall reputation.

The situation as we’ve observed requires immediate attention from relevant authorities.

It is therefore important that the Ministry of Education, Ghana Education Service, and other stakeholders come together to address the concerns raised by the school authorities.